Why Chicago Needs The Clean and Affordable Buildings Ordinance

Angela Tovar and Jared Policicchio from Chicago’s Department of Environment will join AIA Committee on the Environment + 2030 Commitment and Illinois Green Alliance to provide an exclusive update on the status and goals for the Clean and Affordable Building Ordinance. Key points of their presentation will cover what’s included in the ordinance and why it is significant for Chicago to implement now.  Highlights of the ordinance will address the following issues:

Equitably advance solutions for all Chicago buildings:

• Improve the safety, comfort, and health for all who work and live in Chicago buildings
• Alleviate the energy burden for Chicagoan’s struggling with high energy bills
• Catalyze workforce and economic opportunities for historically underserved communities
• Meet Chicago’s 62% carbon emissions reduction goal by 2040

Decarbonizing Buildings in Chicago:

• Buildings account for close to 70% of all greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Chicago
• Peer reviewed research states that the combustion of fossil fuel in and around buildings has negative health effects
• Zero and low-emission buildings can save residents and developers money by unlocking incentives in the Inflation Reduction Act
• 20% of Chicagoans cannot afford their natural gas bills.